Brenda Yufeh
3 July 2009
interview
What do you think about Tianshi, GNLD, NG4L and other food supplements such as "forever living products" that are flooding the drug market today?
All these drugs have never been visaed for marketing in Cameroon by the National Drug Committee. They are clandestine products which are being sold clandestinely. These products have to be under licence and supervision.
Many people turn to these drugs. Are they really effective?
When one looks at the containers of these drugs, there is a statement evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States which indicates that they have not given any approval for them to be used as drugs, meaning that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Those who market the products claim that they are not drugs but natural substances that treat diseases without any side effects. They contradict themselves because a drug is defined as any substance or device which is used for the diagnosing, treatment or prevention of diseases.
Does this mean that the drugs are dangerous?
Excess of any chemical in the body causes a problem.
What is the National Order doing against the products being marketed as drugs?
The National Order of Pharmacists is there to control authorised pharmacists to see into it that they practise their profession according to the norms. The National Order is there to see that drugs in pharmacists are of high quality, meet the standard for which they are meant and see into it that patients properly use the drugs. The mission of a pharmacist is to save the society as it is the profession responsible for the appropriate use of medication and devices for the optimal therapeutic outcomes. We are not the police to control illegal drug sale. It is the responsibility of the state to safeguard the health of its population. The state has the power to order the various ministries concerned to cause the eradication of such drugs. The Ministry of Public Health is there to control the proper use of genuine medication. Thus, pharmacists are under its control. The Ministry of Health cannot control all the other ministries involved in fighting against illegal sales of drugs.
What advice to those who take these products?
In developed countries, food supplements are important because the population does not have the opportunity to eat fresh foodstuff. Reasons why people in such areas have deficiency in their nutrition. People in Cameroon are self-sufficient when it comes to having fresh food. Thus, we do not need food supplements. Food supplements can only be used when some one is sick and cannot eat. Before taking these drugs, people need to be diagnosed.
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